Proverbs 22:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.

NIV: for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.

NASB: For the Lord will plead their case And take the life of those who rob them.

CSB: for the Lord will champion their cause and will plunder those who plunder them.

NLT: For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

KJV: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

NKJV: For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

Solomon was a champion of the poor (Proverbs 14:31; 19:17; 22:16). This followed his sincere devotion to godly truth (Proverbs 1:7), as the Lord is the supreme champion of the poor. The prior verse noted that it was immoral to exploit disadvantaged people, including by denying them rights and protections. Solomon warns here that God, Himself, will act against those who abuse the weak.

In his letter to Hebrew Christians, the apostle James opposes any show of bias against the poor. He writes, "Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?" (James 2:5). In chapter 5 he berates rich farmers for withholding due wages from the laborers. He writes that the cries of the poor laborers "have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts" (James 5:4). Jesus' teaching included a blessing for the poor. In Luke 6:20 He said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."

Proverbs 22:22–29 begins Solomon's collection of thirty wise sayings. First, he presents a series of negative commands; chapter 22 ends with the first five collected teachings. These warnings touch on proper treatment of the disadvantaged, relationships, loans, boundary lines, and work ethic.

This chapter completes a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon (Proverbs 10:1). He notes that reputation and godliness are far better than money. He also notes that godly wisdom keeps a person from various dangers. Loving parents use proper discipline to instill wisdom in their children. The last portion of the chapter introduces a new passage, made up of thirty wise teachings which Solomon endorses. This string of advice continues into chapter 24.

This chapter is the last of the second division of the book, including all of chapters 10—21. This section includes some 375 verses, mostly in paired lines. Chapter 22 completes these statements, then introduces a collection of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon. The first five are negative commands, warning to avoid certain vices. Chapter 23 continues with more sayings of advice.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.

Accessed 5/1/2024 11:42:45 PM